USDA Told to Respond Quickly to Grazing Needs

May 8, 2000

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) called on USDA to prepare to allow emergency haying and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acreage. He urged USDA to act quickly on CRP access and to other drought-related matters as the needs arise.

Harkin says the total amount of precipitation in Iowa from Sept. 1-April 1 was the fourth lowest since 1873; parts of Iowa already are experiencing severe drought conditions. Subsoil moisture levels across the state are far below normal. And it could get worse.

USDA should be prepared at the county, state and national levels to take action without unnecessary delays to consider and approve requests for access to CRP forage where warranted, said Harkin. Rapid responses to such requests "can help significantly to lessen the negative impact of the drought on livestock producers."